The Maharashtra government has constituted a seven-member committee to assess the possibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). As reported by PTI, the panel will be led by retired IAS officer Sudhir Kumar Shrivastava and has been tasked with delivering its report within three months.
The MMR encompasses not just Mumbai but also neighbouring districts such as Thane, Raigad, and Palghar. Other members of the committee include representatives from the state’s transport department, police traffic division, Mahanagar Gas, Mahavitaran, and the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM). Experts may also be consulted for additional insights.
Court Push For Cleaner Air
The formation of the committee follows concerns raised by the Bombay High Court during a recent Public Interest Litigation (PIL) hearing. The court emphasised that vehicular emissions were a leading contributor to the city’s pollution problem and highlighted the inadequacy of current measures.
Authorities have been urged to explore the feasibility of transitioning from conventional fuel vehicles to cleaner alternatives such as CNG and electric models.
Impact On Automotive Sector
If implemented, the potential ban could significantly affect vehicle sales in the region. In 2024 alone, nearly 2.79 lakh new vehicles were registered in Mumbai, reflecting a 9.89 per cent increase from the previous year.
Across Maharashtra, over 28 lakh vehicles were registered in the same period, marking a 12.32 per cent year-on-year rise.
Construction Pollution Concerns
In December, Mumbai’s municipal corporation issued warnings to construction sites as pollution levels worsened due to increased activity, changing wind patterns, and lower temperatures.
With over 11,000 ongoing infrastructure projects, authorities have been tasked with monitoring pollution control protocols at these sites.
Additional Directives From HC
The High Court has also ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to ensure bakeries using coal or wood for fuel transition to greener alternatives like gas within six months. New licenses for such businesses will only be granted if they adopt eco-friendly fuel sources.
The committee’s findings are expected to provide crucial recommendations for tackling Mumbai’s worsening pollution and charting a cleaner path forward for urban transportation.
